Fluoride Unlikely As Irritant

April 07, 1993|The Morning Call

To the Editor:

As a dermatologist, I feel I must respond to incorrect information in a March 18 letter.

The writer describes a skin condition caused by fluoride-containing toothpaste and concludes by voicing her fear that fluoridating drinking water will cause her and "many others (who) have a proven sensitivity" some future harm. The condition described is perioral dermatitis and a standard dermatologic textbook lists numerous suspected causes for this condition. Out of three pages of discussion of the causes of perioral dermatitis, one-half paragraph is devoted to fluoride. The authors reference two papers which have suggested fluoridated toothpaste as a cause of perioral dermatitis, but go on to reference papers which refute a causal relationship between fluoride and perioral dermatitis. The authors conclude by saying "fluoridation of drinking water seems an unlikely but unresolved cause." Several other dermatology texts do not even mention fluoride as a cause of perioral dermatitis. Finally, the standard textbook on contact dermatitis of the skin states "fluorides are very rare sensitizers."

As a dermatologist, I do not believe the facts support this argument against fluoridation.